Sri Lanka Clinch Series In Colombo

Rangana Herath ended with match figures of 12 for 157 as Sri Lanka wrapped up victory in the second Test against Bangladesh with a day to spare in Colombo. Herath struck in the first over of the day and the home side never looked back in spite of some brief resistance from the Bangladeshi lower-order.

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara then hit half-centuries in Sri Lanka’s fourth innings run chase of 160, which was eventually completed by Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews in the 42nd over.

Mominul Haque’s dismissal in the first over to Herath really set Bangladesh back after they had lost two wickets late yesterday and when Nasir Hossain also succumbed to Herath just 11 runs later the end could have come quickly.

However, Bangladesh have showed admirable fight during this mini-series against Sri Lanka and they did so again. Sohag Gazi enjoyed himself at number eight, hitting 26 off 31 balls, and out-scored Mushfiqur Rahim during their seventh-wicket partnership of 31. Rahim had reached 40 before nicking a ball onto his pad and watching it ricochet to Mathews at slip to make it 228 for eight.

Abul Hasan then ensured that the final two wickets would add a further 37 by ending not out on 25 off 57 balls having hit two sixes. It required Shaminda Eranga to finish the innings as he came back to bowl Robiul Islam for 10.

Dimuth Karunaratne again failed at the start of the Sri Lanka run chase, making just 16 before offering no shot to a straight delivery from Robiul. That gave Bangladesh a modicum of hope, but Sangakkara and Dilshan ensured that it soon evaporated. The pair added 94 in good time for the second-wicket before Dilshan eventually perished for 57 off 73 balls. Sangakkara followed suit just 10 runs later for 55 but by then the damage had been done and Sri Lanka were within sight of victory.

Thirimanne and Mathews completed the job, ending not out with 13 apiece, as Sri Lanka completed victory in the series - a victory which had been more difficult than they would have imagined after day one Galle.